Creating a customized, persuasive

Cover Letters
Final tips for successful Cover
Letters
UNIT 6: CHAPTER 13-14
3 Purposes:
Introducing the resume
Highlighting your strengths in terms of benefits to readers
Gaining an interview

3 Parts of a Cover Letter:
Opening
Body
Closing
Gaining Attention in the Opening
(Address reader by name)
Applications can be:
Solicited
Unsolicited

Openings should always attract the attention of the reader


Please consider this letter an application for the position of . . . or I would like to apply for. ..
Openings for Solicited Jobs
Refer to the name of an Employee in the company
Refer to the source of your information precisely
Refer to the Job Title and describe how your qualifications fit the
requirement

Openings for Unsolicited Jobs
Demonstrate interest in and knowledge of the readers business
Show how your special talents and backgrounds will benefit the company

Selling your Strengths in the Body
If responding to an advertisement (requirements are known)

If prospecting for a job (requirements unknown, background gives
ideas)

Stress reader benefits
What you can do for the organization
Choose strongest qualification that will benefit the job

Discuss relevant personality traits

Refer the reader to your resume





Motivating Action in Closing
Conclude by asking for an interview; Dont ask for the job
Sound sincere and appreciative

This brief description of my qualifications and the additional information on my rsum
demonstrate my genuine desire to put my skills in accounting to work for
you. Please call me at (405) 488-2291 before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to arrange
an interview.

To add to your staff an industrious, well-trained administrative assistant with proven
word processing and communication skills, call me at (350) 492-1433 to arrange an
interview. I can meet with you at any time convenient to your schedule.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications more fully in an
interview. You can reach me on my cell phone at (213) 458-4030.

Next week, after you have examined the enclosed rsum, I will call you to discuss
the possibility of arranging an interview.
Sending your Cover Letter through E-mail and
Fax
Inside Letter
Return Address: Top,
just below your
Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Remove tabs,
bullets, underlining,
and italics
Fax: indicate delivery
method BY FAX
Final Tips for Successful Cover Letters
Make activities and outcomes, and not yourself, the subjects of
sentences.
I took classes in business communication and computer applications, say
Classes in business communication and computer applications prepared me
to . . . .
I enjoyed helping customers, say Helping customers was a real pleasure.
Avoid starting sentences with I whenever possible
Strive for a comfortable style
Use a Traditional letter style
Print it on the same quality paper as your rsum
Proofread it yourself
Have a friend read it for content and mechanics
Dont rely on spell check